The U.S. Men’s basketball team is struggling in its tune-ups for the upcoming Summer Games despite going 4-0.
LeBron James, though, certainly is not.
On the same day he was announced as the United States’ opening ceremony flag-bearer, he rescued the U.S. from an embarrassing loss to Germany. Team USA is a massive favorite to win Olympic gold at -500 while Germany is sixth at +3000 according to DraftKings. However, the U.S. needed his fourth-quarter heroics to avoid the upset as he scored their final 11 points. The King finished with 20 points, six boards and four dimes in Team USA’s 92-88 win.
This is the second time in less than a week that LeBron bailed out the United States. Team USA was a 41.5-point favorite to beat South Sudan, who have the third-worst odds to win the gold at +25000. However, they not only went neck-and-neck with the U.S., but led by 14-points at one point.
LeBron made sure Team USA avoided an embarrassing loss with the game-winning layup with eight seconds left for a 101-100 win. He scored 23 points with six boards and six assists in the victory.
These close calls better be a warning sign if the U.S. wants to avoid an embarrassing showing in Paris. LeBron can’t bail Team USA out forever, especially against the likes of Canada (+1100), France (+1200), Serbia (+1600) and Greece (+2000), who all boast some of the NBA’s elite playmakers.
Team USA play will play three games in the opening round of the Summer Games, starting Sunday against Serbia as a 15.5-point favorite. They then play South Sudan on July 31 and Puerto Rico (+3000) on Aug. 3 before the knockout round starts on Aug. 6.
